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enterprise, why should he miss a hunt to talk of it with you?" |
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"Out of the perfectly reasonable feeling that he had no right to press William of Pembroke to this action under myor rather ourroof without our knowledge. Oxford will not go himself. That is reasonable, too; he is too old to be of much use. His part, and Salisbury's, is to prevent John from commanding Pembroke to return home, or declaring him a traitor, or taking any other action that will interfere with Pembroke's success." |
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"Salisbury thinks well of this plan?" Alinor asked unhappily. |
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"So well that he brought Oxford here," Ian pointed out. |
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"I do not know. I do not know. It does sound right and reasonable. If FitzHenry continues unchecked on the path he has taken, we will lose the Irish lands completely. I wish you had not told me. This weighs like lead upon my heart, and yet my mind says it is good." |
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"I think what weighs like lead upon your heart is your tiredness, Alinor. If you will go pig-sticking and riding like a madwoman, with your hair all undone, you must expect a little heaviness of spirit at the end of the day." |
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"What!" Alinor exclaimed, the more readily diverted because she knew her forebodings were baseless and useless. "Do you think I am so aged and decrepit that a hunt can wear me into a lassitude? I will show you yet my strength and endurance. We will see, between the two of us, who first cries, 'Enough! Enough!'" |
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The deep eyes lit. Ian's grip tightened on Alinor's hand, and he pulled her close. "Mayhap I will sleep in your bed this night after all," he muttered. |
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"Oh no you will not!" Alinor exclaimed briskly, pushing him away and wrenching her hand free of his grip. |
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"Why not, Alinor?" Ian pleaded. "What is the difference between tonight and three nights from now? I have been long without a woman. I want you." |
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